Since 1993, Billy Cooper has been a familiar and welcoming presence at Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts. As a dedicated member of the Partners-in-Performance Volunteer program, Billy has spent over three decades contributing his time to help patrons at the Hall. His wife, Dora Cooper, has been a volunteer since day one in 1992. Together, they’ve formed an inseparable partnership in life and service, shaping the community around them.
Billy’s connection to the arts started long before his time at the Hall. He first met Dora in 1966 while working as a custodian at the historic Gillioz Theatre in downtown Springfield. The movie The Magnificent Seven was playing that day, and when Dora asked to sit beside him, it was the beginning of a lifelong love story. “The rest is history,” Billy says with a smile. They’ve been together ever since! They have one son, Josh, and faced challenges as an interracial couple in the 1960s. “It wasn’t always easy,” Billy recalls, “but when we encountered rough patches, it only brought us closer. I have someone to go through the hard times with, and I’m so grateful for that.”
One of the most difficult chapters of Billy’s life came 17 years ago when he was diagnosed with a serious form of cancer. Doctors told him he had only one year to live, but Billy has continued to beat the odds with his characteristic optimism and determination. Billy’s positive attitude has certainly contributed to his ongoing fight. His resilience and will to live have inspired those around him, showing that no matter the adversity, there’s always hope.
For Billy, volunteering at Hammons Hall has been a vital part of his life’s journey. His passion for the arts is evident in everything he does, and it’s the people—both the patrons and his fellow volunteers—that keep him coming back year after year. “I’m paid in smiles, and that means everything in the world to me,” Billy says. “I feel at home here at the Hall. I love what I do, and I make it my goal to give patrons a great experience that makes them want to come back.”
Billy’s love for music and live entertainment started in his youth. “There’s something special about live entertainment,” he says. “It’s a communal experience that brings people together.” He and Dora have always cherished being part of that shared experience, and as Hammons Hall volunteers, they’ve witnessed hundreds of performances. Of those, some standouts on the Hall stage include Les Misérables, Ray Charles, Walter Cronkite, and Gregory Hines.
Throughout his life, Billy has been driven by a deep desire to give back to his community. He spent nearly 30 years working as a social worker, helping high school students and adults develop the skills they needed to succeed. His time in this field earned him recognition as Missouri’s Workforce Development Professional of the Year—a testament to his impact. Even outside of his professional life, Billy has dedicated himself to inspiring the next generation. As a youth basketball coach for many years, he instilled values of teamwork, perseverance, and hard work in the young people he mentored.
When asked about what motivates him, Billy’s response is simple: “I want to leave behind a legacy of giving back. Whether through my work or my volunteering, I hope to inspire others to make a difference in their own way.” As a volunteer at Hammons Hall, Billy’s contributions have been invaluable. His passion for the arts, love of people, and genuine care for creating memorable experiences for patrons embody the spirit of the Partners-in-Performance Volunteer program. “We are so fortunate to have Billy here,” says Hammons Hall Director Jack Wheeler. “He’s a testament to our mission to bring memorable, positive experiences to audiences in Southwest Missouri.”
In addition to his service at the Hall, Billy is being honored for his lifelong dedication to his community by being inducted into the 2024 Springfield Public Schools Hall of Fame. A 1968 graduate of Central High School, Billy is recognized for his outstanding contributions to workforce development and his extensive volunteer work.
Billy’s journey is one of resilience, positivity, and service. His story is a reminder of the power of perseverance and the importance of giving back to the community. Whether he’s greeting patrons with a smile at Hammons Hall or guiding young people toward their futures, we are so fortunate to have Billy as part of the Juanita K. Hammons Hall family!